-----(MC's POV)-----
What the shit is this?
Really, you go around hunting stray devils all night and you expect to stay hidden and for nobody to notice? Training my ass, the author just wanted a simple way to let the MC show off his new powers, because powers are SO important and cool, to the point where we don't care if anyone sees, because why the hell would we? Not like there's any danger anywhere in FUCKING KUOH.
…Sigh.
What the hell's happened to good writing? To MCs who are not smart, but just have common sense. Why do authors think readers like it when the MC gets into a dick measuring contest with rando villains and starts talking like a typical edge lord otaku?
I couldn't help but put away my phone in disgust. It had been a long day at Uni today, two exams followed by a bullshit presentation that was nearly half my grade. I just wanted to find a good story, a decent fanfic to help me relax and ease my worries as I ride the bus home, but fanfics have been getting so bad recently, it's not even funny anymore.
It started with the occasional AI fic that I could tolerate since it still had a decent plot, but now? Everything's gone to hell. Authors just don't want to put in work or effort anymore. It's disheartening more than anything really. Add to that the bot reviews and the fake comments and you get trash stories making it to the rankings and being thrust into your face.
I swear, take any true fanfic reader; someone who actually enjoys them and doesn't see them as a simple parody, someone who actually tries to get invested, to care; and put them in a situation like the one I just read. It'd be over for that verse, guaranteed. 'Cause we ain't idiots. We ain't some saints who won't get involved with the main cast and will stay away from all the female characters, but damnit, we're not morons who'll go around thinking with their lower heads and try to show off. We are better than that… most of us at least.
"Well, that's an amusing perspective."
"Fuck!"
I couldn't help but shout as a voice whispered in my ear, so close I could feel their...
Why are they cold?
I turned around as slowly as possible, in case the person had a weapon, but the moment I saw them, I froze.
What in the HP Lovecraft, Cthulhu is that?
Behind me wasn't anything remotely human; it was an abomination, an amalgamation of creatures {A/N: Bars}, something that shouldn't be possible.
It was like if you took every animal ever, squished them together, and then shaped them into a barely humanoid form.
I couldn't breathe. I was too afraid to do so.
The Devil would've been a better sight than this… thing. At least it was still recognizably human. This thing though… I knew that if I survived, I'd probably die from lack of sleep.
"Are you done staring?"
Its voice snapped me out of my downward spiral and forced me to acknowledge it again. To admit that this thing is real.
"What are you?" I asked before slapping a hand onto my mouth.
SHIT! Me and my damn mouth! Why the hell would you say that, you moron?!
"I'm what you humans would call a ROB. It's a lot more complicated than that, but I doubt your human brain could comprehend it, so that will suffice for now."
Okay, yeah, that works. Try and stay calm, ROBs are usually nice, right?
"May… may I ask why you've summoned me here?"
It looked at me for a few seconds, at least I think it did, before its voice rang out again.
"Why are you talking like that? It's a bit hypocritical to what you were thinking earlier, no?"
I blinked before responding with as much caution as I could:
"I'm attempting to show a degree of politeness towards you, since you are a God after all."
"Ah, there is no need. I didn't choose you for politeness after all, but to confirm that theory of yours. Take any true fanfic reader, and put them in a situation like the one you read and it'd be over for that verse, guaranteed. Those were your thoughts, no?"
"Huh? Really, this is what this whole thing is about?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"Of course. Your thoughts were interesting to a certain degree, so I decided to test your theory, and who better to do so than the one who came up with it."
I studied their… whatever they were, trying to discern anything; even if it was probably impossible and insane to do; in order to see if it's a lie, but I was just inclined to believe it, as dumb as it might sound.
A chance to do what I always dreamed of. To actually be the protagonist, be someone who will have the power to change the world (hopefully).
"And what do you want in return? There's no way this is free."
"Aha, there he is. It's good to see you shed that polite persona. Now, sit down. I will answer all your questions at once." It said as it swept its arm? appendage? toward something behind me.
Only now did I finally get enough focus to look around, and my jaw dropped. We weren't in a space full of white or a simple office, no no, that would be too simple for ROB here.
We were in some kind of Victorian dining room that reminded me of the one I saw in Overlord. Even without seeing the outside, I could guarantee we were in some kind of castle or tomb, and that was honestly… cool as fuck.
"Thank you for the compliment, but I would rather you sit and listen than flatter me in your mind and gush like a child."
I brought my gaze back to the ROB and gave a slight nod before sitting down in front of him.
He swept his appendage, yeah that works, again, and this time made dishes of all kinds appear in front of us.
"Enjoy yourself while I explain my purpose for taking you. Don't be shy and eat as your heart desires."
I kept looking at the being for a couple seconds before nodding slightly and pouring some food onto my plate.
I felt its stare the entire time, and it made me want to disappear or curl up in a ball and die. Fuck was it creepy.
It only began speaking again after I took the first bite.
"Good. Now stay quiet and listen. I heard, or rather, read your thoughts on the story you were reading and found them interesting. So, I searched other universes in order to find someone who, as you thought, would have common sense and ideas aligned with yours, but surprisingly, found a very small amount. That is why I decided to test your theory. You will be sent to the world of DxD with three wishes of your choice, to a certain extent. There's no secret plan or a price you need to pay; this is simply for my own amusement, to see if you live up to your own bravado. Understood?"
I kept eating as I tried to look at this from every angle.
This is a bit too good to be true, so I have to at least attempt to view this from its perspective. Is it really for its own amusement? What other reasons could a god possibly have to do this? That line of thinking won't get me anywhere, so switch it up. Even if there was a price, what could a God want from me? The only answer that makes sense is my soul; nothing material would interest it, so that has to be it. That, or my memories and life experiences. It's possible it can't feel emotions because it's omniscient and wants a momentary high from experiencing things from a human perspective.
That narrows it down. My soul or my memories. The latter is too far-fetched, so the former is the most likely explanation.
Now comes the next question: is it worth it? Should I accept and make such a deal? And what would happen if I reject?
It already said it can read my thoughts and is likely doing so right now, but even so, I can't just not think about it.
My mind raced as I tried to find the best answer.
Pros: DxD, powers, a high chance of immortality, and most important of all—individuality. All humans are special, no individual is 100% like the other, but in a world like DxD, it feels like more somehow. I won't be just another individual but someone fully distinct from everyone else because whatever power I choose will be mine and mine alone.
Cons: My soul might be a hidden price; the unknown; heavy dependence on my wishes. The second one is the most worrying since it's entirely possible for it to drop me into a DxD alternate where the entire world is in nightmare mode. There's also the possibility it might erase my memories ot kill me if I say no.
Now the verdict. Is it worth it?
.
.
.
Fuck yes.
"I accept."
{A/N: There it is. The first chapter. I'm proud of it and I think it went well so not much to say. Just to clarify what I'm thinking, this is what I would do if I was in that situation. I'm trying to immerse myself as much as possible, so hope this clears up some of the MC's thoughts. Italics represent the MC's thoughts and there is a reason as to why he stopped panicking that will be explained next chapter, just let me cook. See y'all next time.}